Whaler Volume 3 Issue 2 by Dino Marketing Group

whaler THE

B O S T O N

UNSINKABLE

W H A L E R

LEGEND

B O A T S

volume 3 issue 2

M A G A Z I N E

www.bostonwhaler.com

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A whaler president’sletter Keeping the legend growing.

President,BostonWhaler

Tim Schiek

VicePresidentofSales, Marketing&CustomerService

Jeff Vaughn

MarketingProgramsSupervisor

Traci Davis

Sales&MarketingCoordinator

Jessica Mogus

WHALER

Magazine

President/Publisher

Douglas Leik

AccountExecutive

Annie Brown

EditorialDirector

ANewView

Randy Hess

ManagingEditor

Roger Kamholz DeputyEditor

At Boston Whaler, we feel very proud of how iconic this brand has become over its half century. There’s a knowing look that passes between people when Boston Whaler is mentioned. A smile, a nod. Right, a Whaler.

And that’s wonderful, but frankly there’s even more to these legendary boats than you know. I welcome your expectations…but what I’d really like to give you is a new view on Boston Whaler. is new view is one that sweeps over our entire company, but first let me draw your attention to our new Vantage series. With two models, the 230 and the 270, Vantage offers a new view on the possible. ese multifunctional, multigenerational boats empower you to take on everything from watersports with the family to offshore cruising and serious fishing. Deeper freeboard, innovative seating and a spacious head ensure comfort, while cutting-edge, multipurpose features tackle your hardcore fishing and sporting dreams. Read more about Vantage on page 16. ese are only the most recent models to expand what you can do. ere are more than 25 Boston Whaler models to suit your every need. And when your boat fits you to a T, your life is enhanced; your dreams are easier to grab. is issue is packed with stories about Whaler owners doing just that. Read stories about Boston Whalers A new view on the used as fishing machines (page 14), whale research platforms possible means that (page 38), YMCA camp champs (page 44), Bimini cruisers (page 22) and more. Boston Whalers are I hope you’ll enjoy this new view on Boston Whaler with me, and designed to shift with the next time you smile and nod with a Whaler owner or fan, it will your needs. be a bigger smile, a deeper nod.

Tim Schiek

President — Boston Whaler

Amy Wideman SeniorEditor

Elli Thompson EditoratLarge

Jennifer Chesak ContentMarketingAssociate

Keiza Suzuki

CreativeDirector

Russell Duncan

DigitalCreativeDirector

Kraig Devenport

ProductionDirector

Robyn Bendle ArtDirector

Nathan Vrabel GraphicDesigner

Brittany Huisenga GraphicDesigner

Arlene Waclawek Photographers

Jim Barrett, John Bildahl, Mike Calabro, Steven J. Conway, Jamie Elvidge, Robert Glover

Whaler magazine is published two times a year for Boston Whaler by Dino Publishing LLC. Any correspondence should be directed to: Dino Publishing 350 W. Hubbard St., Suite 400 Chicago, IL 60654 Tel: 312-822-9266 Fax: 312-822-9268 email: dleik@dinopublishing.com The opinions expressed in this magazine are not to be considered ofﬁcial expressions of Dino Publishing or Boston Whaler. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject all editorial or advertising matter. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, or artwork. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph, or illustration without prior written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Printed in U.S.A. Copyright © 2012 Boston Whaler.

whalermagazine

Contents

volume 3 issue 2

features

Boating Unlimited

Meet Vantage, the innovative series that’s opening up a whole new view on boating.

Island Escape

Fun-seeking Whaler owners voyage to the tropics for the 10th annual Bimini Rendezvous.

The Upper Hand

e 370 Outrage’s new upper station is giving anglers and pleasure boaters a fresh perspective.

Rescue Me

Sea Tow takes safety seriously, and for its Central Connecticut franchise, that means a ﬂeet of Whalers.

Whale Songs

The Upper Hand

d e pa rt m e n ts

Navigate Top tender tips, smart fuel choices, scrumptious sips, boatloads of backpacks and much more. on the cover:

Towing ings to know before you go to ensure that every trailering adventure is successful and worry-free.

For four decades, researcher Jim Darling has relied on Boston Whaler for his oﬀshore study of whales.

Defying Derecho

Adventure Lifelong Whaler owner Virginia Doughton rings in her 90th birthday.

The multifaceted new Boston Whaler Vantage encourages family bonding. Photo by Robert Glover

A ﬂeet of Super Sports arrives to rescue summer camp season from the clutches of a mighty storm.

hooks, news, gear and info

navigate whaler

volume 3 issue 2

Tough but Tender

THE RIGHT YACHT TENDER CAN DO SO MUCH MORE THAN DELIVER

YOU TO AND FROM SHORE.

It can be the platform for memorable day trips or even overnight adventures. What are the most important qualities to look for in a yacht tender? We asked Dan Corcoran, who captains a 151-foot yacht based off the coast of Florida, to weigh in. Captain Dan’s tender of choice is a 370 Outrage, which he and his clients have been relying on for nearly two years. Comfort is priority number one. “The 370 has a long list of creature comforts that make it so much more than a tender. With the big pad up front, and great all-around design, the whole family can ride onboard comfortably.” Also important? Versatility. “Boston Whalers can do it all. The Outrage has the dive door for easy snorkeling, and it fishes well.

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We’ve used it to compete in sailfish tournaments. It fishes, it dives, it snorkels…and it takes you to dinner.” Major bonus points for style. “As the boss’s son jokes, ‘It’s great for picking up chicks.’ The Outrage is a really nice-looking boat. It doesn’t look out of place next to the yacht.” And of course, reliability is key. “The Unsinkable Legend, that’s huge! Whalers ride very well, and they’re incredibly safe. The pedigree of Whaler has a lot to say.”

For more tips on choosing and making the most of a yacht tender, look to the Spring issue of Whaler magazine.

[ boatload of backpacks ] To celebrate the beginning of the new school year, Boston Whaler conducted its second annual “Boatload of Backpacks” project, donating 150 backpacks filled with school supplies to three local elementary schools in Edgewater, Florida. The delivery vessel? A 150 Super Sport, naturally. Through a one-to-one match with employee contributions, Whaler was able to fulfill a complete school-supply list for 50 students at each of three area schools: Edgewater Elementary, Indian River Elementary and Burns Science and Technology Charter School. (The backpacks will be distributed to students who may need additional support throughout the year.) “Boston Whaler prides itself 0n being a part of our local community,” says Tim Schiek, president of Boston Whaler. “We are thrilled to be able to help these young students prepare for a successful future.”

Smart use of space can make all the difference in the world when it comes to feeling comfortable in a boat or vehicle. Your Boston Whaler boasts wide-open layouts and perfectly placed seating to ensure every cruise feels just right. Likewise, GMC’s Terrain SLT reimagines how a compact SUV can be configured, thanks to MultiFlex second-row seating. This reclining rear seat can slide nearly 8 inches back to deliver 39.9 inches of secondrow legroom—the most of any five-passenger vehicle in its class. It can also slide forward to expand rear cargo volume. So whether you need more space for guests or more space for towels, lifejackets and fishing gear on your next trip to the water, the Terrain SLT delivers. For more information on GMC’s Terrain SLT and MultiFlex seating, visit gmc.com.

MultiFlexible

Fuels to Protect Your Engine and Pocketbook With today’s high fuel prices, getting the most mileage for your buck at the pump is more important than ever. Even a small reduction in fuel consumption, say 3 percent, is equivalent to saving 13 cents per gallon when you fill up*.

This is where ValvTect Marine Fuels and ValvTect Marine Fuel Additives come into play. They contain up to five times more of the petroleum industry’s most advanced deter gent/dispersant technology, to prevent

giant squid, dead ahead!

and actually clean up carbon deposits (called “gunk”), than virtually all

Boston Whaler has a reputation for making

automotive-grade gasoline and truck-grade diesel fuel. Clean injectors

everyday fishing excursions legendary.

and intake valves deliver more miles per gallon, better performance, longer

Likewise, Raymarine’s marine satellite

engine life and lower operating cost.

ValvTect Marine Gasoline and Ethanol Gasoline Treatment not only

technology ensures you’ll never miss a golden opportunity to make a memorable

protect your engine from corrosion and phase separation, but also clean

catch. Using Raymarine’s CHIRP sonar,

up mileage-robbing injector and intake valve deposits that can signifi-

a group of saltwater fishermen recently

cantly reduce fuel consumption. A clean fuel system means better fuel

hauled in a giant squid off the coast of

economy!

Italy. CHIRP’s ClearPulse sonar technology produces sharper, well-defined echoes up

For improved fuel economy and longer engine life that can save you money, turn to ValvTect Marine Fuels and ValvTect Marine Fuel Additives. For more information, visit www.ValvTect.com or call (800) 728-8258.

to 10,000 feet that translate to incredibly clear screen images. Where conventional sonar modules transmit and listen to a single frequency, CHIRP boasts a wider spectrum of signals so you’ll never miss

* based on a fuel cost of $4.50 per gallon

that big catch. To learn more, visit www.raymarine.com.

vol. 3, issue 2

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JJACK A DANIEL’S DA NIEL’ L ISS A REGISTERED R EG IS R ED TRADEMARK. T R A EM A R K . ©2012 © 012 JJD. D. SINGLE S G L E BARREL B A R R L TENNESSEE T ENNE S EE WHISKEY W H ISK ALC./VOL A LC. / VO 47% 47% [94 [9 4 PROOF]. OOF ]. DISTILLED DIS LL ED AAND N BOTTLED BOT T L ED BY JACK JAC K DANIEL DA EL DISTILLERY, DI S T IL ERY, LYNCHBURG], LY NC BU RG], TENNESSEE. T E NE S SEE. COME ME VISIT V I SI T USS AT AT JDSINGLEBARREL JDSI L EB A R R E .COM. C OM.

YO U R B A R R E L I S WA I T I N G . AS S EACH AC CH BARREL BA REL O OFF JACK AC CK DANIEL’S DAN EL’S TENNESSEE TEN ESS S EE W E Y COMES C OF AGE, MASTER MA DIST R, WHISKEY OF DISTILLER, JEF ARNETT ARNE T T SAMPLES SAMPLE THE THE LIQUOR LIQ OR AND AND SETS SE TS JEFF F W SELECT SELEC CASKS CASKS ASIDE ASIDE – JUST US T THE THE BARRELS BARREL A FEW WITT THE THE SMOOTHEST SM OTHEST TASTE, ASTE RICHEST R HEST COLOR C LOR WITH AND AND MORE MORE INTENSE IN ENSE FLAVOR. F AV VOR. THE E BARRELS BARR LS ARE ARE DESTINED ESTINED FOR FOR SOMETHING SO E THING THESE SPE AL: TO TO BE E SOLD, SOLD ONE ONE BARREL B BA REL AT AT A TIME, T ME, SPECIAL: TO ONLY ONLY OUR OUR MOST MOST DISCRIMINATING D CRIMINA NG CUSTOMERS. CUS OME M RS TO FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEB SITE S TE AT AT JDSINGLEBARREL.COM DSINGL BARREL OM OR OR CALL ALL WEB 1-8 55 J K [5225] [522 1-888-551-JACK

QUANTITIES SHOULD E A SE P LLEASE DR I N R DRINK RESPONSIBLY E SPONSI B Y.

A LWA BE BE LIMITED L IMIT . ALWAYS

WELCOME HOME! Who says the journey is better than the destination? Sean and Amanda Barrett, winners of Boston Whaler’s 170 Dauntless Legendary Giveaway contest, are pretty happy with the ﬁnal stopping place: the family’s dock in Venice, Florida. Boston Whaler owners and fans across the nation entered to win a brand-new 170 Dauntless last spring. ey received updates as the boat went through production at Whaler’s Edgewater, Florida, facility, and then watched with bated breath via Facebook as the shiny new boat “toured” the country on its way to its new owner. Sean, Amanda and their three young children live in Naperville, Illinois, but will keep their new “family member” in Venice. Here’s to many journeys (and destinations) ahead!

Consider Your Coverage When shopping for an insurance policy for your Boston Whaler, be sure to consider the coverage—such as fishing equipment and lay-up periods—and not just the price. If you’d like help comparing marine insurance, call the specialists at Boater’s Choice. A representative will walk you through each coverage and “shop” with you for the best cost/coverage options from “A-rated” carriers. Here are some items to consider when selecting a boat insurance policy: Agreed Value Coverage: In the event of a total loss, this coverage pays the value shown on the declarations page, with no depreciation! Industry Expertise: Does the agent and/or company know anything about boats? This is very important if a claim occurs. Hurricane Haul Out: Does the policy respond if you haul your Boston Whaler when a named storm is approaching? For more information, please visit www.boaterschoiceinsurance.com or call (800) 768-2121 to speak with a Whaler insurance specialist.

vol. 3, issue 2

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Big Specifications Compact Dimensions! Ready to Rock! Fusion Marine Audio Control

Powerful, go-anywhere, navigation; the NEW a-Series delivers the speed and simplicity of Raymarine technology in a sleek 5.7â&#x20AC;? touch screen display

SUPER

BRIGHT

LED Great visibility in all conditions

Intuitive LightHouse User Interface

Fast dual-core processor and dedicated graphics

Advanced fuel management, with range and time-to-empty

a Series | a65 & a67

Optional built-in, dual-frequency, 600W ClearPulseÂŽ sonar

Explore the new a-Series online. www.raymarine.com/a-series

Imagery for illustrative purposes only

A Perfect Pair Every corner of the globe has its own delicacies. The Marlborough Sounds region of New Zealand, for example, is the green-lipped mussel capital of the world. Locals take full advantage of mussel season, which runs from June to December, by pairing mussel dishes with Nobilo Icon Sauvignon Blanc, made from grapes harvested in the same region. Nobilo Icon also plays well to other seafood dishes and sides the world round. Its rich and fullbodied taste brims with peach and zesty lemon notes, which will complement the fresh catch wherever you boat. Try your own Nobilo Icon Sauvignon Blanc pairing onboard your Boston Whaler, and savor the sea’s bounty alongside a satisfying sip. Learn more at www.nobilowines.com.

Reel Men

DRINK WHISKEY OFFSHORE FISHERMEN KNOW THERE’S NOTHING MORE SATISFYING THAN A DAY SPENT BATTLING THE FISH. THEY ALSO KNOW IT CAN BE DOWNRIGHT GRUELING. After a day of sun, wind and waves (and hopefully a catch or two), unwind with your fishing buddies back at the dock with a glass of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel whiskey on the rocks. Drawn from individual barrels, no two bottles are alike. Take in the complex, creamy nose, savor the longer oak finish at the back of the palate, and regale your fellow anglers with your best Boston Whaler fishing tales. As always, remember to drink responsibly. For more information, visit www.jdsinglebarrel.com.

vol. 3, issue 2

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Refinance today with rates AS LOW AS

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With over 30 years in marine lending, Essex Credit understands the boating lifestyle — You want to be out there enjoying maximum time with your family and friends. Essex Credit can help! Refinance your Boston Whaler with a competitive rate as low as 5.50%** APR and get out on the water more often.

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Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no substituion for giving your trailer a thorough inspection before the boating season starts or checking things over before each particular trip.

vol. 3, issue 2

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whaler

towing

Things to Know Before You Tow

Be sure your trailer is prepped and ready to go before you hit the road Story by Bruce W. Smith Photos by Mike Calabro

the thrill of getting to the water can produce

a mental haze akin to those first delirious moments of falling in love. You’re so busy savoring the excitement and dreaming about the future that you can easily overlook potential red flags. Don’t let thoughts of saltwater spray, glorious sunshine and reeling in a big catch onboard your Boston Whaler distract you from getting to the dock safely. A flat tire, broken trailer lights or poor winch condition can squelch your blissful plans before they begin. To be sure, starting with the proper tow vehicle goes a long way toward ensuring a successful outing. GMC makes sure its vehicles are equipped with trailer-ready features, so you have one less thing to worry about on the road. “All GMC engines and transmissions are designed with trailering in mind,” says Robert Krouse, trailering engineer for General Motors North America. However, this peace of mind should not substitute for a proper pre-road trailer inspection. Start by checking the brakes. If you are comfortable around the automotive toolbox, jack the trailer up and pull the wheel drums (or rotors/discs) for a thorough inspection. At the same time, check, clean and repack the wheel bearings. (is should be done at least once a year.) Use a good bearing protector to keep them properly lubed. If you aren’t comfortable with these tasks, visit your dealer or mechanic. Trailer lights get a lot of dunking at the launch ramp, and corrosion can creep into light sockets and wiring. e new LED trailer lights are far less troublesome, and if your trailer doesn’t have them, consider an upgrade. If your trailer isn’t equipped with sealed lights, pull the light bulbs and spray dielectric grease into every socket. en plug the harness into the tow vehicle and check to make sure the license

“

plate light, taillights, directionals and stoplights are all working perfectly. Next, check the condition and working order of the bow winch and cable, rollers and bunks. ese help make launch/retrieval effortless. Inspect the winch and cable or strap. Lube the winch as necessary and replace obviously worn straps and cables. Rollers usually have grease fittings; fill them with a marine-grade lubricant. On the bunks, check to make sure the carpet padding is firmly attached, that it is not overly worn down, and that there are no protruding staples, screws or nails sticking through that might damage the hull. Finally, do a walk around the trailer, inspecting all welded and bolted joints for integrity. Cracked or broken welds need fixing immediately, and bolts need to be checked for tightness. Inspect the trailer’s safety chains/cables and the trailer jack, and lube the jack with a light marine grease. Check your trailer tie-downs to make sure they’re in good working condition. Inspect the springs, axle(s) and the mounting bolts for each, tightening as needed. Check the overall tire condition and inflation pressure as noted earlier. As with anything of value, proper handling is key. “We put a lot of time and thought into how our vehicles handle with a trailer in tow,” Robert says. For example, “on the GMC Sierra HD, which trailers the heaviest loads, we have available features like engine exhaust brake, an electronic stability control system, trailer sway control and hill start assist.” Make trailer maintenance and care part of your routine at the beginning of each new boating season, or take the time to check things over before a particular trip, and rest assured your deepest boating hopes will blossom into a long and perfect outing on your Boston Whaler.

”

Don’t let thoughts of saltwater spray, glorious sunshine and reeling in a big catch onboard your Boston Whaler distract you from getting to the dock safely.

(Top) As evidenced by the impressive blueďŹ sh haul in this 1978 photo, Virginia Doughton long put her Whaler to good use. Her kids, grandkids and even readers of local paper The Maritimes (inset) have beneďŹ tted from her know-how.

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WHALER

adventure

90 Years Young

For lifelong North Carolina boater Virginia Doughton, a 90th birthday party calls for a Whaler in attendance Story by Amy Wideman | Photos courtesy of Bud Doughton

“my mother fished from a 17-foot boston whaler sport until she was 80 years old,” Bud Doughton says with a note of pride in his voice. “For 28 years, she rolled a 9-foot Squall into Bogue Sound and rowed out to her Sport, and then went fishing out of Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina. e neighbors would see her and kind of adopted this feeling of, ‘If she can do it, I can do it.’ She taught all her grandchildren how to row and sail in the Squall and how to run and fish with hand lines from the 17.” But he prefers to let his mom, Virginia Doughton, fill in the details. “It’s hard to be objective as a son,” he notes. “My first encounter with Whaler was in winter of 1962,” Virginia begins. “We saw it at the Miami Boat Show. After that, we wound up purchasing a 13-foot Whaler for our daughter, Ginger, in 1964.” at boat was soon followed by the Squall (a multifunction powerboat/dinghy/sailboat model that Boston Whaler manufactured from the mid-60s to early ‘70s) and the 17-foot Sport that she used for the next three decades. When Virginia retired from boating in 2002, she passed the Sport down to her grandson, Robert Finley, who had it shipped to Corn Island, Nicaragua, shortly after—and uses it to this day, keeping his hotel and fishing operation running. “Yup, the same boat,” Bud confirms. “It’s seen several engines but they’ve never had an issue with it.” “Boston Whalers last. ey’re wonderful boats,” Virginia chimes in. Her enthusiasm wasn’t lost on her family. Since 1964, the Doughton clan has owned 12 Boston Whalers, by Bud’s count. “I’ve had one most of my life, continuously since I was 11,” he says. “Now I’ve got a 25-foot Whaler, and we’ve

“

taken it all the way to Rum Cay in the Bahamas and back.” An avid sailboater as a child, Virginia grew up loving the water. “My great-grandfather bought the first cottage in Morehead City in 1899, and our family’s been here ever since. I don’t know anything about any other beach.” No slouch on local history, Virginia has, in fact, authored several history books about the region, including one on the famous Atlantic Hotel. Virginia caught the fishing bug early and continued throughout her life. In part, perhaps, because she was so darn good at it. “One time I caught 52 mackerel in about two or three hours—by myself!—fishing hand lines,” she says. “Rodand-reels are too slow. I like to catch my fish and go home. We can have mackerel to eat that are less than two hours old.” “She only ever fished with hand lines, which she handspliced and rigged at home,” Bud adds. “We’re talking discount fishing here!” “We give a lot of mackerel away,” Virginia continues. “Not everyone knows what a fresh fish is. Wait ’til they try one.” Virginia has passed on the legacy, teaching all her grandkids, as well as children from the neighborhood, how to both row and operate a powerboat aboard the Squall and how to fish on the big Whaler. And so for her recent 90th birthday party, which Bud and the family hosted this summer in Morehead City, it was only fitting that the Squall play a special role: “We filled it up with wine, beer, Cokes and water,” Bud says. “Makes a great cooler!” “I didn’t think I’d ever live to be 90 years old,” Virginia says, chuckling. “But I did! A lot of people came and we had a wonderful time.”

”

She taught all her grandchildren how to row and sail in the Squall and how to run and ﬁsh with hand lines from the 17.

BOATING UNLIMITED With Boston Whaler’s all-new dual console Vantage series, boating’s great pleasures come into sharp focus and easy reach Story by Roger Kamholz | Photos by Robert Glover

What defines a Boston Whaler? THIS QUESTION OCCUPIES THE COMPANY’S PRODUCT DEVELOPERS, DESIGNERS AND ENGINEERS PERHAPS MORE THAN ANY OTHER. SURE, A HANDFUL OF EASY ANSWERS QUICKLY COMES TO MIND—CHIEFLY, A WHALER’S TRADEMARK UNSINKABILITY; NO BOAT SPORTING THE CRIMSON HARPOON HAS EVER OR WILL EVER LEAVE BOSTON WHALER’S PRODUCTION FACILITY LACKING THAT MARK OF STEADFAST RELIABILITY. BUT MANY OF A BOSTON WHALER’S DISTINGUISHING QUALITIES ARE LESS TANGIBLE, LESS BASED ON SOME BY-THE-NUMBERS MEASUREMENT.

onoring and instilling those subtler distinctions is one of the things that makes Boston Whaler’s boat-design team the best in the industry. And this mastery of “Whaler style” is in full view with Vantage, the stunning new family of dual console boats. In its broad strokes—from layout to onboard comforts to sheer versatility—Vantage breaks new ground for Boston Whaler and opens up a world of possibilities for boaters who want to embrace everything the open water has to oﬀer. But for all of Vantage’s luxe appointments and fresh looks, beneath the surface there still beats the heart of that cherished, hard-nosed workhorse intrepidly cruising through our collective memory of this legendary brand.

MULTIFACETED Take it ﬁshing, then take it to dinner: Vantage is equipped for maximum versatility and customizability, from the optional wakeboard tower (top right) to the ample rod storage (opposite) to the plush, roomy convertible aft bench (bottom right).

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Boston Whaler’s goal in developing the two-model Vantage family is easily summed up—but was far from easy to realize in a single boating platform: To truly satisfy everyone and anyone who comes onboard. Yes to pleasure boating, yes to sport fishing, yes to watersports—yes to everything. “is is a true no-compromise boat,” explains Jeff Vaughn, Boston Whaler’s vice president of sales, marketing and customer service. “Vantage strikes the perfect balance between comfort, ease and inclusiveness on one hand, and capable, rugged, multifaceted performance on the other.” But before we take off in a new Vantage to see all that’s possible, let’s take a moment to simply size up these vessels—and admire those dashing good looks while we’re at it. e 230 and 270 Vantage feature a clean profile, with a telltale line running from the bow to the chine that clearly announces their Whaler heritage. Boston Whaler’s ace team of naval architects sculpted a unique running surface with hardly any trade-offs; both boats are quick to plane, tight in turns, and maintain a soft, dry ride even in the rough stuff. Early test drivers have praised the incredibly predictable handling of both Vantage models. Ever attuned to the sea’s fickle behavior, Boston Whaler crafted a well-protected cockpit for Vantage, incorporating a wraparound windshield, dual consoles and a deep freeboard. Seating is stylish, soft and supportive throughout, ensconcing the crew in comfort and security. The bow is no different; whichever position you choose to assume, this plush lounging area feels deep, safe and oh so inviting. OK, a spin in a boat is sure to wipe that drool from your chin. In fact, the single-engine 230 and twin-engine 270 are quick off the line: the 23-footer is up on plane in just six seconds, while the 27 does it in five. Packing formidable Mercury FourStroke Verado® engines, either boat will hit 30 mph in a mere 10 seconds, which makes them ready and willing for watersports duty. Pulled by that amount of raw power, a wakeboarder will have no trouble getting up out of the water and right into his or her routine. If your agenda regularly calls for watersports, consider opting for the watersports tower, wakeboard racks and tower-mounted speakers with amp. (e 270’s watersports tower also couples with an optional hardtop.) Cavernous storage in the starboard console, bow and cockpit floor also helps accommodate your gear. And an integrated swim

platform, flanking the engine(s) on both sides, provides a spacious suitup spot and easy water access. Take a Vantage sport fishing and you’ll quickly discern—and appreciate—how Boston Whaler tapped its proud angling pedigree in crafting these boats. Whether you chase the striped bass of Cape Cod or Gulf Stream mahi mahi, Vantage offers the tools and open layout (made even more roomy by a smart, foldaway aft bench) that all but ensure success. e 230 and 270 both come standard with a feature-rich cockpit utility center, which includes a sink with drain, a cutting board and a highcapacity cooler. Optional fishing packages add a livewell, a fishing station, a raw-water washdown, transom-mounted rod holders and more. Once your livewell and camera are filled with trophies, you’re bound to want some R&R. Again, Vantage delivers with features that support a pleasure boater’s docket: entertaining, lounging, anchoring, shore excursions, you name it. The versatile port lounge seat (see sidebar below), the Fusion stereo system, the

“Vantage strikes the perfect balance between comfort, ease and inclusiveness on one hand, and capable, rugged, multifaceted performance on the other.” spacious and storage-friendly head unit, optional foldaway beach boarding ladder, and the 270’s optional summer kitchen with handsome Corian countertops only scratch the surface of what Vantage does to enhance your days on the water. With its prowess for ﬁshing, watersports and carefree pleasure boating, Vantage accomplishes some impressive feats. Diehard Whaler fans will recognize the spirit of the brand in a boat that also feels thoroughly new and refreshing. Vantage draws as much from Boston Whaler’s storied past as it looks ahead toward the future—a future where the possibilities are just about limitless.

LEANING POST

ENJOY A NEW VIEW ON COMFORT, ON PERFORMANCE, ON HOW YOU CAN USE AND ENJOY A BOAT. I N T H E F O L D | Vantage’s innovative port seat adjusts like origami to meet your moment-by-moment needs. Lay out completely flat, flip it up for seating facing fore or aft, or position it into the leaning post for extra stability while standing. This seating deserves a standing ovation.

RECLINED

N I R E ND E Z

0 YEARS O

O N WH A L ST ER

Island Escape BO

â&#x20AC;¢ CE L EBR AT US VO

A group of fun-seeking Whaler owners converges on the tropics for the 10th annual Bimini Rendezvous Story by Amy Wideman | Photos by Jim Barrett

ON THE BEACH, OFF THE GRID... Bimini, a cluster of islands at the westernmost end of the Bahamas, is just 53 miles oﬀ the coast of Miami but feels like a world away. With a total population of less than 2,000 people, nature—and especially the sparkling, pale blue water—gets to play the starring role.

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Bimini oﬀers prime snorkeling opportunities; a Whaler caravan en route to a sandbar gathering; the ocean reveals sunken and salvaged treasures; sandy respite; smiles for 10 years’ worth of Bimini memories; and two Whalers make their entrance to paradise.

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It’s easy to leave behind the workweek physically. Power down the computer, step away from the desk, climb into the car and

put a few miles between you and the office. But mentally? That’s a different story. We’re all connected, all the time. Just because the calendar says “Saturday” doesn’t mean the mind registers “relax.” So when Boston Whaler announced an opportunity to escape to the Bahamas, the appeal was about more than just the miles—it was about the mental. In other words, as 370 Outrage owner Marc Napolitano says, “The best feeling in the world is when you look down…and you’ve got no bars on your cell phone.” Anybody with a smartphone or a Gmail account is probably nodding his or her head in agreement. Riiight…no bars…no strings…no calls, dropped or otherwise. Might as well be the new definition of “vacation.” Marc and a large group of fellow Whaler owners enjoyed that sublime feeling this June when, recognizing the appeal of digital liberation, Boston Whaler hosted a getaway to eclipse all getaways: the 10th annual Bimini Rendezvous, hosted at the Bimini Sands Resort. Rolling out the red carpet, this five-day affair included island excursions, cocktail hours, a fishing tourney, a costume party and more. Plenty to help keep one entertained even without email, Facebook and their ilk. Marc cruised down from Lauderdale Marina, just outside of Port Everglades, Florida, with a group of likeminded boaters and team members from Boston Whaler.

Onboard the Napolitanos’ Outrage were Marc’s wife, Mindy, and the couple’s children Jo Marie (17) and Christian (22). As in years past, on the night prior to setting out, a captains meeting gave everyone a chance to meet ‘n’ greet and let the anticipation build. “e way it was set up was great,” Marc says. “Whaler really makes you feel like family and makes you feel really important and like you made the right decision by choosing the brand. “Where else can you buy something,” he continues, “be on a trip with the company president, the marketing folks and the head of engineering, sit and have a beer and just talk about old boating stories? You buy a car and you don’t get that experience. It’s incredible. We absolutely had a fantastic time. Everybody who was involved just bent over backward to see that we had a good time.” Admittedly, Mother Nature threw in a couple of curveballs. As Christian Napolitano puts it, “e trip down was epic.” Recalling the 6- to 8-foot seas and 20-mph winds that lasted for more than four hours, Marc adds, “It was brutal. But it was fun! I never felt unsafe. Listen, our Whaler is seaworthy. And the guys in 18- to 20-foot boats made it just as safely, too. Whaler is second to none. Nobody builds a boat like them.”

And everyone—organizers and guests alike—was determined to make the best of it, regardless of the forecast. How could you not when surrounded by paradise? In no time rain jackets had been traded for bathing suits and any grumbling about being wet was the good-natured kind—because the primary source of soak had shifted to the pranksters in the group. “Squirt guns, water balloons, slingshots…they told us to be prepared,” Marc says with a laugh. “ey weren’t kidding!” Of course, throughout the weekend, there were opportunities galore to get fully and joyously doused. On the first full day, the group anchored out at a sandbar near a submerged airplane, a spot that engendered terrific snorkeling. “e kids were loving it,” Marc notes. And yes, there were plenty of colorful birds spotted—just not of the “Angry” variety. Whaler also served up an exclusive cookout with barbecued fare and beach games with prizes to be won. Attendees socialized, sought out shade and rubbed elbows—make that fins—with the stingrays populating the water. A fishing tournament gave anglers the chance to test their lines. Back at the resort, there was no shortage of time to unwind. Bimini Sands offers visitors shelter from the 9-to-5, the tick-tock of the alarm clock…whatever needs escaping. Guests took advantage of the friendly Square Grouper bar and ample hidey-holes to rest in the shade. A big part of Bimini’s charm is the lack of hustle and bustle. “It was incredible,” Marc says. “We came away wondering why nobody has actually

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developed the island. Not that I’m complaining! It’s a sleepy little place. e south end of Bimini, where the resort sits, is less developed than the north. Which we loved, being away from everybody else.” Brian O’Neil and his wife were also among the many who came seeking relaxation. e couple made the trip from their home near Merritt Island, Florida, aboard their 295 Conquest. e repeat attendees of the annual Bimini event came away with lots of fodder for their scrapbook. “We had a wonderful time,” Brian says. “And we felt totally taken care of. Boston Whaler really knows how to host an event.” Another highlight was the Rendezvous costume party, which saw fully grown men dressed as superheroes and hula dancers, ladies in elaborate disguises and kids eager to play dress up for a few hours. Naturally there were a few nautical-themed getups as well, including a certain menacing shark. So was it an adventure that bears repeating? No question. “I would absolutely go again,” Marc testiﬁes. “I wouldn’t hesitate even if the weather was bad. It’s a bonding thing. Even those who were total strangers before—it’s like you just met these people and by the last day everybody’s hugging. It’s something special.” at’s right—real, honest-to-goodness, in-the-ﬂesh hugs. No data plan required. It's not too early to start planning for next year's Bimini event, scheduled to take place June 18 to 22, 2013. A captains meeting will be held the evening of June 17 in Ft. Lauderdale. More details to come!

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Triple Mercury FourStroke Verado® outboards helped this family cover the miles between Ft. Lauderdale and Bimini. High seas and occasionally gray skies did little to dampen the group’s enthusiasm.

THE

Story by Randy Hess | Photos by Robert Glover

UPPERHAND Get acquainted with the 370 Outrage’s new upper station—an option that’s giving anglers and pleasure boaters alike a fresh perspective

boston whalers are primarily used for fishing, cruising or tender duty for large yachts.

The 370 Outrage has proven itself so adept at all three uses that it’s hard to imagine it concentrating on one of them. But when a new 370 owner gets one with the boat’s brand-new upper station, it’s likely he’s out for one thing: fish. Big ones, too, and lots of them.

“It’s all about maximizing your view,” explains Wil Rogers, Boston Whaler’s manager of big boat sales. “You can see game farther out, as well as weed patches and bait fish that draw the big predators in. It also helps you see what your anglers have on the line as you back down to help them reel.” Boston Whaler has already had great success with the upper station on the 345 Conquest, and the 370 Outrage was the logical boat to expand that offering to next. Without question, the 370 is an offshore monster, tackling big water, huge hauls and long reaches with ease. Triple Mercury FourStroke Verado® engines with power steering and shadow mode technology come standard, so getting to and from the action is never an issue. The 370 also has the capacity to carry a crew of big-game hunters in comfort and safety, not to mention in style. So what will you find atop this new perch? The 370’s upper station comes with a tilt helm, a wide upholstered bench with backrest for the captain and company, and a buggy top for sun and rain protection. The helm box includes a compass, a digital throttle and shift, and a SmartCraft™ VesselView display. As an option, boaters can also choose to add the Raymarine e95 unit, which will display your fishfinder, navigation and cartography info, stereo controls, radar

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Whether sprinting offshore for an epic fishing excursion or slowing down to appreciate the local sealife, there’s no viewpoint quite like the upper station of a 370 Outrage. With its ample doses of comfort, capability and style, you can call this Whaler a fishing machine or just call it a sweet ride. Either way, you’d be correct.

“Being able to ride up there and really experience the elements, really take in the whole environment and see well off into the distance, the clear water, the reefs…it’s just spectacular.” and more—all the data worth keeping at your fingertips. “It’s a very versatile instrument control panel up there,” Wil says. With or without the Raymarine unit, the upper station is nononsense. “It’s a simple but very effective design. It’s elegant,” Wil notes. “One of the things I like to point out is that any sense of clutter or chaos is completely eliminated. The upper station has all the features you’re looking for but nothing you don’t need.” Logically, then, it’s a feature that will see a lot of use. “Some owners think they may not use the tower enough to make it worthwhile,” Wil says. “But once they fish with one they realize how much more it adds to the experience. I think it is going to prove to be a popular option among our serious fishing clientele. “On the other hand, it also can be a lot of fun just to run the boat from up there,” he continues. “We’re seeing customers excited about the

feature just because it looks so good—and because of the incredible view it offers.” During a recent test ride to the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Florida, Wil and his crew were lucky enough to be accompanied by a pod of dolphins, jumping and swimming right alongside the Outrage. The upper station gave them a unique vantage. “Being able to ride up there and really experience the elements, really take in the whole environment and see well off into the distance, the clear water, the reefs…it’s just spectacular,” he describes. Anglers and sightseers alike have plenty of reasons to appreciate a view like that. And the fact that it gives the 370 such a distinct profile? Consider it the topper on the cake. “It’s a well-executed approach to an upper station, with the benefit of elevating the look of the boat,” Wil says. “We’re excited to offer it.”

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R E s c u E __ sea Tow takes safety seriously, and for its central conneî&#x201A;&#x2021;icut franchise, that means a ďŹ&#x201A;eet of Whalers Story and Photos by Jamie Elvidge

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“Over the years I’ve raIsed thOusands Of sunken bOats, and nOt One has been a bOstOn Whaler.” at’s Captain Tom Kehlenbach, owner of Sea Tow Central Connecticut. He knows a thing or two about boats and their reliability, and after 22 years of running his marine towing and salvage operation on Long Island Sound, he’ll settle for nothing less than Whalers in his ﬂeet. “Why would I trust my life, and the lives of my Captains, to any other boat?” he asks. I arrive late at night in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, to ﬁnd the small town dark and still with slumber. My room at the Saybrook Point Inn overlooks the marina, but I notice the slip where Sea Tow’s bright yellow 25-foot Outrage should be tied sits vacant. I check my messages and, sure enough, there’s an explanation from Tom: “42-foot sailboat on the rocks, taking on water. See you in the morning.” ese potentially dangerous late-night calls are anything but unusual for the Sea Tow Captains, who sleep with marine radios crackling next to their beds.

When the call comes in, Sea Tow Central Connecticut relies on its Boston Whalers to spring unsinkably into action.

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ese boats take care of us, even when we’re taking care of other people.

\\ CAPTAIN TOM KEHLENBACH, OWNER OF SEA TOW CENTRAL CONNECTICUT

”

“Over the years we’ve responded to countless calls with our five Boston Whalers, and the boats have always worked like champs,” Tom says when we meet later. “And we need them to…because more times than not, we’re taking our boats into waters where other people don’t want to be.” Sea Tow Services International, the largest independently franchised marine towing company in the world, came to life in 1983, just after President Reagan announced the Coast Guard would no longer be responding to non-emergency calls. Founder and CEO Captain Joe Frohnhoefer and his wife, Georgia, saw that sudden void in marine service not only as an opportunity to support their local boating community in Southold, New York, but also as a way to put their longstanding passion for maritime safety to work. irty years later, Sea Tow serves more than 160,000 members around the globe, and safety remains one of the brand’s core values. e Frohnhoefers even created the public service-focused, non-profit Sea Tow Foundation to promote safe boating practices, and put in place educational initiatives intended to directly reduce accidents and fatalities related to recreational boating. “It’s a serious job,” Tom says of running his 3,400-member-strong Central Connecticut branch, “and we feel especially serious about the safety aspects of it.” He has even come up with his own missive for the Central Connecticut team of responders to keep in mind: the acronym SIR, which stands for “Safety for our crew, Integrity in the job and Respect for the sea.” “e quality of our towing fleet is a huge part of staying safe,” Tom says, discussing his mix of standard and commercial-hulled Whalers, which includes a 21-foot Justice, two 25-foot Outrage Cuddies, a 27-foot Guardian Center Console and a 27-foot Vigilant Pilothouse—much

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(Opposite, top) Captain Tom Kehlenbach monitors the airwaves, dispatching members of his crew and their Whalers as calls come in from distressed boaters.

-.-. .- .-. . / --- ..-. / ..From their base in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, the team serves Long Island Sound and beyond. (Below) The Avery Point Lighthouse stands guard from the edge of the University of Connecticutâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Groton campus.

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favored for those chilly late-season calls. “ese boats take care of us, even when we’re taking care of other people,” he says. I’ve flown in to see just what it’s like to be a Whaler-wielding Sea Tow Captain, so I spend a day heeling Captain Tom, Captain Eric Dussault, the team’s operations manager, and Captain Tom Heinssen. Most immediately apparent about these guys is their love for what they do. When they’re not actually on a call to help a stranded boater, they’re talking boats and business. And sure, most assignments are your average tows—folks out of gas, with dead batteries or seized props—but man, people are so happy to see the Sea Tow guys show up. “Yup,” Tom says in his gruff-but-jolly Northeastern accent, “no matter how simple the problem, the customers are usually distraught when they’re floating out there. ey’re stranded, sometimes in a desperate situation, and there you are to make it right.” Between calls, we slam down a sandwich at Edd’s Place, a roadside grub shack in Westbrook, and I ask the guys about their most memorable calls. After 22 years of tows, rescues and salvages, the stories are copious and colorful. “Remember that single-engine plane that went down a few months ago?” Tom recalls. “e pilot walked right out on the wing and jumped onto some guy’s Jet Ski just as the plane was sinking.” Tom’s fleet of Whalers has salvaged a surprising number of airplanes from the Long Island Sound, but it’s mostly boats the team needs to pluck from the unforgiving sea, or craftily extract from the area’s peekaboo shoals. “ere was only one time we salvaged a Whaler,” Tom says. “It had broken away from its mooring and spent 14 hours in a raging storm,

pounding away against the rocks. ere wasn’t much left when we got there…all the fiberglass was gone on one side and there were big holes in it. My mechanics asked, ‘What do you think, should we put the airbags on it?’ and I said, ‘No, no, no, just tow it in.’ ey looked at me like I was half crazy, and I said, ‘It’s a Boston Whaler, it can’t sink!’ And you know what? It didn’t!” A day on call with the Sea Tow Captains means you’re hanging with the local heroes, so back at the docks between tows, a lot of gratitude and admiration float their way. A humble bunch, they don’t like to hear it, but the truth is, these guys are really ocean-going cowboys— lionhearts, as courageous as they come. Late on my last day hanging out with Sea Tow Central Connecticut, an emergency call comes in saying a 36-foot sport yacht with three adults and two children onboard is taking on water, fast. ree of Tom’s boats are within range of the scene, and all bolt to the rescue. When the first Whaler arrives, the yacht has water over the helm and its five passengers are in the water. By the time the boat sinks, they are all safely aboard one of the Sea Tow boats. “When you have a crisis out there, it’s not like you can walk to the neighbor’s house and ring the doorbell,” Tom reflects. “We’re not paramedics or doctors, and we’re not out there to save lives…but there are days when we do. “ings can go wrong in a hurry,” he adds. “We see it all the time. I just can’t think of a better boat than a Boston Whaler to send my Captains out on because I know, no matter what, they’ll come back. And that has tremendous value to me.”

Â© Jim Darling

For four decades, researcher Jim Darling has relied on Boston Whaler to deliver him safely to— and back home from—his oﬀshore study of whales

WHALE

SONGS Story by Lori Pappajohn

Five miles offshore, Jim Darling stands at the

Based in Tofino, on British Columbia’s wild western coast, Jim has been researching whales for some 40 years. Having earned a doctorate for his whale research, he is known as a world authority on certain behaviors of humpbacks and gray whales. And since day one, Jim has used Boston Whalers for his research in British Columbia. It all began in the 1970s, when Jim was an avid Tofino surfer. Every now and then he would see a massive whale rolling in the waves behind his board. The biology student wanted to learn about these mysterious creatures, but he could find almost nothing on them—because almost no one had studied them. If Jim wanted answers, he’d have to find them himself. So he became one of the Pacific Northwest’s pioneer whale researchers. A whale researcher needs a boat, and Jim had no question in his mind regarding what he wanted. It had to be a Boston Whaler. “You just don’t have to worry about them,” says Jim, who over the years has had eight Whalers, ranging in size from 13 to 18 feet. “When you are doing research, you don’t want to be thinking about the boat.” The waters off of British Columbia’s Vancouver Island are notoriously cold and can be particularly brutal. If your boat capsizes, you don’t last long in those frigid seas. Jim needed a boat that could handle unexpected weather, could take rogue waves crashing on the bow, could withstand a whale’s playful slaps and nudges, and was just plain rough and tough. The whales Jim researches often feed right along the surf line. Jim knows his Whaler will take care of itself in those breaking seas while he concentrates on the whales. “My Whaler is like a surfboard with sides,” he laughs, before adding, “with a Whaler, you always know you will make it home.” If there is a typical day for Jim on the water, it’s a day that requires patience. First, he and his team have to find the whales, then identify

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them and take GPS readings. As whales stay under water for up to 20 minutes at a time, it can sometimes take 40 minutes to identify the whale you just found. With luck, the whale will stay nearby. If it leaves, you start all over again. If high winds come up, you go home and try again tomorrow. But patience is rewarded by that moment when a humpback mother and her calf surface for air and then slowly and gracefully dive back down into the deep blue. That’s when Jim turns off the motor, the boat drifts and he waits. Sometimes the whales move just below his boat—some 40 tons of whale with the power to explode 20 feet into the air. One is awed by the sheer size of the creatures, their strength, grandeur and beauty. At other times, aggressive males can be seen traveling at top speed along the surface, huffing and puffing like angry steam engines. It’s moments like this when Jim has his telephoto lens out, the camera shutter clicking in rapid succession. But after the short display, the whales dive and are gone. In a typical day, scientists may get a skin sample for DNA (using a

center console of his Boston Whaler 180 Outrage, dons a pair of headphones and listens intently. The motor is off and the boat pitches in the rising and falling swells. Somewhere in the gray sea below him, a humpback whale is singing. Jim’s hydrophone, hanging over the side of the boat, picks up the sound. Jim smiles, guessing the humpback is about a mile east. He pulls in the hydrophone, fires up the motor and heads in that direction. ¶ Listening for whales, watching whales, photographing whales, taking whale DNA samples, recording whale songs…it’s all in a day’s work for Jim, one of the north Pacific Ocean’s leading whale researchers.

modified crossbow arrow), measure the size of a whale, determine which whales are hanging out with which whales and why, or see how a singing whale reacts when you play another whale’s song to him. “Some whales are a little rambunctious, but most are incredibly gentle,” Jim explains. He says he is still moved by the grace, power and beauty of a whale as it glides underwater, leaps toward the sky or simply lifts its flukes and slides into the sea. In his early research days, Jim was incredulous to discover that the humpbacks he had gone to study in Hawaii were showing up in Alaska thousands of miles away. How could this be? His photographs of individual whales (identified by their different skin patterns) showed the same animals as the Alaskan researchers’ photographs. In the ensuing decades, he and other researchers were to discover that humpback whales (an endangered species) migrate annually from Russia, Alaska and British Columbia to the Philippines, Hawaii and Mexico. When heading to Hawaii, they swim some 3,500 miles across open ocean in almost a straight line, varying hardly one degree. How they navigate and find the islands in that vast sea remains a mystery. The humpbacks migrate to the warmer waters to mate and give birth. When the calves are strong enough (drinking some 100 gallons of mother’s milk daily), the whales head north to the colder waters where food is abundant. Following these whales from Hawaii to British Columbia meant Jim’s fleet of up to four Whalers (three 150 Montauks and a 170 Montauk) had to be shipped in containers between Maui and Vancouver. His organization, the West Coast Whale Research Foundation (now Pacific Wildlife Foundation), would crate the Whalers with the help of M&P Mercury Sales in Vancouver, where Jim bought them. “M&P has always been good to us,” Jim says of the dealership, which has been selling Whalers for 50 years. “When we needed a couple of boats to film a documentary on the West Coast, M&P founder

Bill Pappajohn lent us two 18 Outrages for a month. I ended up buying one and For decades, leading whale still use it today,” added Jim, who in the researcher Jim Darling has early days traveled rough and remote conducted his studies in British Columbia and Hawaii sections of British Columbia’s West onboard Boston Whalers. Coast in his sturdy 13-foot Whaler. Hawaii photos taken under NMFS Scientific Research More recently, Jim has been rePermit 753. searching why male humpback whales sing—and why they all sing the same song. Humpbacks’ songs change or evolve as they are being sung, yet all the singers in a certain area (say, in Hawaii) sing the same version at any one time. Amazingly, humpbacks in Mexico and Japan also sing virtually the same evolving versions as the Hawaiian whales. “We do not know how they do that,” Jim says of this unsolved mystery. Close up, the sound is almost deafening, says underwater photographer and diver Jason Sturgis, who works with Jim and the Whale Trust team in Maui. “It’s like sitting in front of a speaker at a Metallica concert. Acoustically, you are being blown away. Every cavity in your body vibrates.” While the researchers are checking out the whales, the whales are checking out the researchers. Sometimes they come up to the boat and look the researchers right in the eye. Once, a testosterone-laced male slapped the side of Jim’s boat to ensure Jim knew that the nearby female was his—not Jim’s. Jim wasn’t about to argue. The reams of data collected by the scientists on the water turn into hours and hours of analysis back on shore. There are so many questions that still need answers. But one can be proud that many of the answers Jim has uncovered to date were found in trusty Boston Whalers. Forty years with whales and 40 years with Whalers: It’s been a good partnership for a man who has a passion for both.

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Story by Sandy Bildahl | Photos by John Bildahl

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A fleet of Boston Whaler Super Sports arrives just in time to rescue summer camp season from the clutches of a mighty storm

june 29, 2012.

It was the end of another sultry summer day in Worton, Maryland. In this Land of Pleasant Living, no one suspected that a now-infamous derecho was about to cut a line of destruction from Chicago to the mid-Atlantic coast. At approximately 11 p.m., this monster windstorm began carving its name into the serene, coastal waters of the Chesapeake Bay, a place where osprey soar, blue crabs swim and a YMCA camp called Tockwogh had been gearing up for the arrival, in just two days, of hundreds of young summer campers. Known for its pristine two-mile beach, Camp Tockwogh boasts a huge fleet of sailboats, canoes, kayaks and some of the toughest vessels on the bay—more than a half-dozen Boston Whalers, which have weathered many trials and served through many successful camp seasons. In fact, several of Tockwogh’s Whalers date all the way back to the 1970s. The boats are prized for their longevity at a camp where loyalty extends from the campers (many of whom come back year after year) to the camp’s executive director, Elizabeth Staib-King. She left Hawaii to return to Tockwogh, where she had once been a camper. When asked how she could leave paradise, she responds, “This is the greatest place on earth! It was a no-brainer.” But as the derecho approached, the camp’s 50 years of tradition were about to be tested. When 70-mph winds whip through an area, all bets are off. Tockwogh’s dedicated counselors rely on the camp’s ﬂeet of Whalers for a host of functions, from support duties for young sailors-in-training to afternoon outings in search of sun and adventure.

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“It was terrifying,” says Courtney Izett, who spent 16 summers at Camp Tockwogh as a camper and is now director of conferencing. “I’ve been through hurricanes and tornadoes, but nothing like this.” At 2:30 a.m., as the roar of destruction quieted, the staff stepped into the pitch-black night. Having lost electricity, their guide was an emergency “mega spotlight” that revealed a scene beyond their imagination. “It brought tears to our eyes,” Courtney says. “Everything was a jumble of trees that had fallen over everywhere.” Making their way down to the waterfront, they climbed over the downed vegetation to discover disaster. “Every boat, except one, was on the beach,” Courtney describes. “The wind had dragged the boats and moorings together. Boats were upside down, gas tanks were strewn all over…even the floating dock was turned over. It looked hopeless.” With so little time remaining until the next group of campers arrived, they considered the unthinkable: They wouldn’t open. After all, the waterfront is a major part of what makes Tockwogh such a popular camp. But they allowed themselves only a minute with that thought before rejecting it and snapping into action. They mobilized, formed a plan and didn’t stop working despite the historic heat wave that settled in after the storm.

As temperatures rose to more than 100 degrees, a rescue crew of volunteers, former employees, staff, tree cutters, and a camp board member who jumped in his truck and sawed his way through downed trees to reach the site, got to work. Within 36 hours of the storm, campers arrived to find Camp Tockwogh, despite all odds, ready for action. “It was a miracle,” says Bryan Wallace, the camp’s director of waterfront operations. One of the biggest saves goes to Rick Boulay Sr., the camp’s contact at Chesapeake Whalertowne located in nearby Grasonville, Maryland. As the storm cleared, Bryan called Rick with an unheard of request: “We need seven boats yesterday!” And with heroic speed from the Whalertowne crew, Rick had seven new Whalers serviced and ready to roll by the start of the camp’s third session, a mere two weeks later. Two 170 Super Sports, two 150 Super Sports and three 110 Sports gave them the fleet they needed. “We outfitted all of the boats here at Chesapeake Whalertowne and test drove each one to make sure they were all equipped just right for each unique application,” says Rick Boulay Jr. “From the 110 Sport to the 170 Super Sport, we realized the importance of reliability and functionality for the camp.” Time was of the essence, and even a lack of electricity and extensive local flooding couldn’t slow Whalertowne. Two of the boats came from other locations—one from New York and the other from Virginia Beach. According to Rick Jr., this is normal service for Whalertowne. “We consider top-level customer service a priority and wouldn’t consider this ‘going above and beyond,’” he says. “We were just servicing the customer to the top level that is a standard with Boston Whaler.” Patience was another virtue, according to Bryan. “I can tell you, I was on the phone with Whalertowne almost every day for two weeks,” he says. “They also helped with small maintenance when we were overloaded with work. I can’t speak highly enough of the team there.”

They mobilized, formed a plan and didn’t stop working despite the historic heat wave that settled in following the storm. the calm After the storm

One month later, on a busy afternoon in August, Whalers dot the camp’s shoreline, their wakes a stage for young campers to test their skill at wakeboarding and water-skiing. In the coming years, the fleet will continue to uphold Boston Whaler’s legendary reputation by passing the ultimate test of stamina: use by some 1,600 campers. “We put a great deal of time on these boats compared to the average boater,” Bryan says. “We put about 300 hours on each Whaler, every summer.” Meanwhile, several of the camp’s older Whalers are being repaired and will soon be good to go again. “Few boats have a design that can perform at a good level for a variety of activities,” Bryan says. “Boats are not made to move moorings and then pull skiers. But the Whalers do both for us, and then some.” Ease of use is also a top priority. The new Whalers not only look sleek, but also are “low maintenance, self bailing, unsinkable and safe. Anyone can hose one off and flush it out in 10 minutes,” Rick Jr. says. Practical matters aside, the campers are happy. “Awesome” is their typical description. Teenage campers Hannah, Laura and Audrey are eager to try water-skiing and tubing as they wait for the Whaler that

Several of Camp Tockwogh’s Boston Whaler Super Sports are outﬁtted with a tow arch, making them especially popular among the wakeboarding and water-skiing set. The unsinkable ﬂeet also ensured tubing remained high on the agenda.

“Boats are not made to move moorings and then pull skiers. But the Whalers do both for us, and then some.” will take them to idyllic Still Pond, a skier’s dream. For Hannah and Audrey, this is their fifth year at Tockwogh; Laura’s been coming here for seven. In fact, Audrey, who’s from California, has siblings and parents who once stood on this same beach as campers. Credit for the happy atmosphere also goes to the YMCA of Delaware’s Camp Tockwogh Strong Kids Campaign. The charity helps children who would not otherwise be able to experience camp afford to come. Monitoring the scene are returning counselors Cecelia Morrison and Liv Barber, who say they’ve waited all year to get back to camp. They agree in unison, “We love it here.” But they were worried during and after the storm. Liv describes that night: “Everyone was scared… We had to climb over 10 feet of trees and then we couldn’t see any boats. Our hearts sank. We thought it was the end of the summer. So we were so excited when the new Whalers arrived. We were saying, ‘The Whalers are here! The Whalers are here!’”

vol. 3, issue 2

www.bostonwhaler.com

Watching the campers skiing, tubing, wakeboarding or simply taking a spin (a.k.a. “a Whaler ride”) and generally having a good time with friends, it’s clear the storm is past. And thanks to the boats, they’re enjoying all that the Chesapeake has to offer while fulfilling the camp’s goal of personal growth. “The idea of harnessing the power of the wind to move something larger than yourself or being able to move on top of the water while skiing is something that breaks down the constructs that things are impossible,” Bryan reflects. “It lets people see that they can accomplish anything they put their minds to.” Sounds like a motto for everyone who experienced Summer 2012 at Camp Tockwogh. When one of the most severe storms in 75 years rolled through, the camp, without a doubt, came out a winner.

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